DENG Shuping..............................................................................................................91

Research on“the Jade Artifacts of the Western China Archetype”from the Prehistoric Time to the Xia Period（part II）

Abstract：This article is the second part of the long article, mainly exploring the jade culture in the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River between 3000 BC and 1600 BC. From archaeological data, it is known that the Keshengzhuang Culture, the Lower Changshan Culture, the Caiyuan Culture, and the Banshan Culture, distributing around Liupanshan Mountain before 2300 BC, are closely related to the formation of the Qijia Culture. The author names them collectively as the“pre-Qijia Cultural Complex.”The Qijia culture was first formed around 2600 BC. Around 2300 BC, it rapidly developed into a strong culture by occupying a wide area. In the late period of this culture, its territory had reached the west side of the northern Shaanxi plateau, as well as the Ordos region to the north. Inheriting the“Disk-Tube Ritual System”that may have sprouted in the Miaodigou Culture, cong tube and bi disk were stacked and buried in the sacrificial pits during the period of the pre-Qijia cultures. At this time, the jade cong tube had a shallow ring-shaped collar, which might have a function of fixing the stacking of two devices. Sites of the Qijia Culture are numerous. The author analyzes and studies the tombs, house sites, sacrificial pits and other aspects of the Qijia Culture.

WANG Lu.......................................................................................................106
A preliminary investigation of early bronze artifacts in the Yellow River Basins

Abstract：The Yellow River Basin is the key area for the origin and development of early bronze objects in China. The evolution of early bronze technology was constrained by the complexity of a society. In view of civilization process, the author, based on an analysis of archaeological information and socio-economic background, attempts to explain the process of copper and bronze evolution in three facets, namely the germination of early copper, the early development and the formation of regional characteristics. The movement of people, agriculture, handicraft production, cities and the concentration of power are important factors that shaped the evolution model of early bronze wares in the Yellow River Basin. Roughly in the social complexity process from 2300 BC to 1400 BC, the production and use of bronze objects in the upper reaches of the Yellow River were similar in style and inclusive characteristics. In contrast, the development of defensive cities and power in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River promoted the localization of technology and social function of bronze objects.

Sarah Allan and HAN Ding...........................................................................116
On the design and motif of the bronze square-shaped ding from Zhengzhou Shang City

Abstract：Eight square-shaped bronze ding were unearthed from three pits at the Zhengzhou Shang City. Their original form was previously argued to be related to pottery ding with a similar design. However, the authors, by investigating the method of manufacture and motifs, argue that their prototypes should have been square wood containers. The motif of strips bosses imitates rows of rivets along the containers’edges and on a horizontal band. The development of the motifs on the four square ding unearthed at the Nanshunchengjie storage pit illustrates the transformation of the motifs from the original design that imitates rivets towards one with a decorative function.

ZHAO Chao.............................................................................................................124
On yueshu

Abstract：In 1931, an inscribed stone yueshu of the Han Dynasty was unearthed at Yanshi, Henan, which was not thoroughly investigated. The author starts with an interpretation of its inscriptions, and proceeds with a synthetic analysis of multiple related inscribed stones and bamboo slips. This research, by tracing the origin and development of yueshu, shows that yueshu inscriptions should have been entangled with folk organizations, which could shed light on the non-elites in the past.

YANG Jin.........................................................................................................130
On the Tang-Dynasty female figurines in robes

Abstract：Some female pottery figures were found in Tang-Dynasty tombs, who wore high hair buns, draped Hu robes, as well as inner shirts and skirts. Paralleling images were also found in murals at Dunhuang, Turfan, Yushu and so on. They represented female providers with prestigious status for Buddhas or other religious divines. Tracing back to the prototypes of these females, they should have been of multi-culture origins, including Xianbei, Tuyuhun and Sogdian from the north, northwest and the west from the northern Dynasties to the Sui and Tang Dynasties.

FENG Shi.......................................................................................................139
On moxibustion of the Shang Dynasty

Abstract：An oracle-bone inscription 灸, recorded in Xiaotun Nandi Oracle Bone Inscriptions NO. 2219, had not been deciphered. The author argues this character correlates with moxibustion, and interprets the related divination records. While moxibustion was previously assumed to be no earlier than the Han period, this research has changed the related history and our understanding of medical achievements in the Shang period.